Obituaries

Martha Cox Graves, 97, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford following an extended illness.  A native of Wilson Co., she was the daughter of the late H.H. Cox and Maddie Belle Hardison Cox.

Ms. Martha is survived by her daughter, Jackie Martin of Woodbury; grandchildren, Nicholaus Martin of Woodbury and Ashley Crader of Murfreesboro; great grandchildren, James Stephen Martin, Matthew Bates Martin, Aiden Dickens and Adalynn Burns.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bates C. Graves; daughter, Shelia Joy Graves; grandson, Ronnie Martin, Jr. and 9 siblings.

A member of the church at Brawley’s Fork, Ms. Martha was a factory worker and caregiver.  She enjoyed doing word puzzles.

Her family will receive friends Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.  Funeral services will follow in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M.  Interment will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Fairfield cemetery in Westmoreland, TN.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Glenda “Grammie” Lorraine Russ Batey, 84, of Morrison passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon Glen and Lois Ferguson Russ; her devoted husband of 60 years, Ben W. Batey; brother, Don Russ; daughter, Debi Batey Page and great grandson, Luke Aaron Batey.

She leaves behind three children, Glenn Batey, Timothy (Shelly Resseguie) Batey, and Shannon Dewey all of Morrison.  Her loving grandchildren, Tracy Page of Guyton, GA, Kelly (Lee) Hicks of Bradvyille, Alex (Megan) Batey of Murfreesboro, Shania (John) Hinman of Hendersonville, Jeramy (Tani-Mara) Batey of Enid, OK, and Naomi (Clint) Phillips of Bradyville.  Her biggest blessings and pride and joy, her great grandchildren, Ava and Dary Hicks of Bradyville, Braxton, Brantley and Bailey Phillips of Bradyville, Addali Batey of Grandbury, TX, Kendall and Cole Hinman of Hendersonville, Jackson, Wyatt, Fisher and Hunter Batey of Murfreesboro, and Kimber, Ashayla and Matty Batey of Enid, OK.  Her sister, Marsha McClanahan of Arlington, VA. And her brother, Jacque (Tish) Russ of Horseheads, NM.

She was the ultimate example of God-fearing woman.  One who put God first in all things with family a close second.  She was a member of the Barren Fork Baptist church.  There was never a question of where her alliances lie.  When she loved, she loved with her whole heart.  She always said that the greatest blessing in her life was that of getting to be “Grammie” to those she loved.

Her family will receive visitors Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Teb Batey officiating.  She will be laid to rest at McMahan cemetery.

Pallbearers include, Timothy Batey, Lee Hicks, Clint Phillips, Alex Batey, Jeramy Batey and Braxton Phillips.  Honorary Pallbearers, Glenn Batey, Dary Hicks, Brantley Phillips, Jackson Batey, Wyatt Batey, Fisher Batey.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Judy Carolyn Brazle age 78 of the Short Mountain Community passed away Sunday, December 8, 2024, at her residence. She was born December 28, 1945, to her parents the late Velmar Bogle and Frances Larue Page Redmon.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter, Sherry Potter; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Braswell; brother, Dale Bogle. Ms. Brazle was a member of Blue’s Hill Church of Christ and worked at McMinnville Garment and Tennessee Apparel.

She is survived by husband, Jimmy Bluhn of Woodbury; children, Joyce Ann (Shane) Hollis of McMinnville, Nathan (Sarah) Brazle of Smithville; grandchildren, Nicole (Dustin) Cope, Candice (Jason) Jones, Lily Brazle, Bella Sevier, Easton Brazle, Holly Potter, Krisann Parks, Megan Braswell; great-grandchildren, Cody, Gage and Lakelyn Simpson and Brayden Hollis, Asa and Asher Jones, Alex Sevier, Natasha Sevier, Bentley and Savannah Parks, Skyler and Mae Braswell; great-great-grandchildren, Newt, Ovie and Andy Simpson; brothers, Charles Bogle of Kingsport and Ronnie Redmon of Dowelltown; sisters, Kathy Bennett of Gordonsville and Debbie Bogle of Antioch.

Funeral services will be held 1:PM Wednesday December 11, 2024, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Woods Cemetery at Short Mountain. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 10:AM until the time of the service at 1:PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Brazle family. 

Mickey Allen Fricks, 72, of Bradyville passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Stonecrest Hospital.  Born in Chattanooga, he was the son of the late Bill and Evelyn Fricks.  He was also preceded by his father-in-law, Ike Parker.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 32 years, Deborah Parker Fricks of Bradyville; his children, Steven Fricks  and Jessica Fricks both of Rutherford Co., Cody (Katie) Fricks and Signa (Eli) Walden both of Bradyville; sister, Gayle Schuster of Beech Grove; mother-in-law, Hazel Parker of Bradyville; and brothers-in-law, Paul Singleton of Hillsboro, Roger (Dana) Parker of Bradyville and Larry Campbell of Woodbury.  6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren also survive.

He attended New Hope Church of Christ and was retired from Bunny Bread.  Mickey enjoyed fishing, deer hunting and traveling.

His family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM Friday, December 6, 2024.  Graveside services will follow at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Cherry cemetery with Bro. Ralph Richardson officiating. 

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made to Woodbury Funeral Home to help his family with funeral expenses.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Mary Christine Smith age 65 of McMinnville, passed away Tuesday morning December 3, 2024, at her residence.  She was born March 21, 1959, to her parents the late Nolan & Dorothy May Estes Underwood.

She had worked at the shirt factory, Goody’s, and as a cook at Warren County High School, she was a member of the Pentecostals of McMinnville Church.

In addition, to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers: Willie Underwood and Calvin Underwood; First husband: Buford Anthony Myers; Grandson: Kayden Anthony Myers.

Funeral services will be held 11:AM Thursday December 5, 2024, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Robert Burns and Jason Nunley officiating with burial to follow in the Center Hill Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be Wednesday 3:PM until 7:PM and Thursday 9:AM until time of the service at 11:AM.

Survivors include her husband Roger Smith of McMinnville; Children: Christy (Tim) Anderson of Sparta, Angela (Beau) Patrick of Smithville, Shanda (Paul) Peterson of Sewanee, Alisha (Andrew) McCormick of McMinnville; Grandchildren: Blake Myers, Brooklyn Hosse, Austin Hosse, Spencer Peterson, Carson McCormick, Brantley McCormick; Great-Grandchildren: Mason Myers, Adalyn Myers, Tucker Godwin; Sisters: Wanda Beshearse of Smithville, Joyce Farless of Lebanon, Rebecca Farris of Smithville, Brenda Anderson of Liberty; Brother: Greg Johnson of Rock Island.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Smith Family.  

Mr. Billy Ellis, 86, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. He was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee on May 21, 1938. Preceding him in death were her parents, Charles McKindley Ellis and Elizabeth Magnolia Murr Ellis.

He is survived by his close friend whom he called his niece, Ellanor Morrell.

Mr. Billy grew up in the wake of the Great Depression in Tennessee.  While the Great Depression sounds unbelievably scary for people in this day and time.  The lifestyles for people around here didn’t change as much as they did for people in big cities.  Most families in rural Tennessee already knew how to live without many of the conveniences we take for granted now.  They grew, raised or hunted most of what they ate.  Clothes were made and/or handed down. Anything else was a luxury and they knew how to barter or stretch a dollar to get by with what they had. 

He, unlike a lot of his peers, did manage to make it through high school without having to drop out to work and help support his family.  At some point growing up he found an ability to work on cars.  This developed into a passion which comprised a big part of his identity in life. His talent at turning wrenches and restoring cars led to him getting an article published in Hot Rod magazine featuring one of the cars he had put a lot of sweat equity into.  If you had the opportunity to visit his home, he kept the magazine prominently displayed on his coffee table to show off his handy work. 

Many people knew him from the classic truck he restored and drove around.  It had a unique color combination.  It was painted purple with a red leather interior.

It was purported he had another passion in life.  He was a self-styled Romeo, who loved the ladies.  Combined with his passion for hot rods, there were probably more than a few ladies whose heads were turned and fancied a spin around the block with him. 

Sadly, life threw him some curves health wise.  As he got older, he began to lose his mental and physical faculties.  He needed help doing things at home and thankfully, that was when he met Ellanor.  She helped him with things at home.  He appreciated her care and help so much, when they were out running errands, he would introduce her as his niece.  She didn’t mind having an extra uncle, so it worked out for both of them. Finally, he got to the point that even her help wasn’t enough for him to be able to remain independent.  God took over so he doesn’t have to worry about his failing health or his fragile body anymore. 

Mr. Billy will be cremated.  There are no services planned at this time.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story.

James Edd Manus, Jr., age 67 of McMinnville passed away Friday, November 29, 2024, at his home. He was born on May 15, 1957, to his parents, the late James Edd Manus, Sr, and Myrtle Taylor Manus.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jennifer Lisa Melson Manus of McMinnville; daughter, Ashley Melson of McMinnville; grandchildren, Kirsten (Raleigh) Sosa, Destiny Melson (Enrique), Ethan Melson, Marco Melson, Alberto Lopez, Christian Morales, and Dakota Ferrell; brother Johnny Manus (Lisa) of Woodbury and sisters Mary Ward (Richard) of Morrison and Cheryl Conley (Carl) of Rock Island.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Melissa Melson.

Mr. Manus was a member of the Baptist Church and was a self-employed painter. 

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 P.M. Monday, December 2 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Center Hill Cemetery. His family will receive friends Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.

Pallbearers include Ethan Melson, Enrique Resendiz, Maro Melson, Alberto Lopez, Raleigh Woods, and Logan Martin. 

Robert Jason Francis, 46, of Auburntown passed away Friday, November 22, 2024, at Stones River Hospital. A native of Dekalb County.

He is survived by his parents Robert (Bobby) and Brenda Kay Bryson Francis of Auburntown; his brothers, Gregory D. Francis of Pulaski, and Johnny (Kimberly) Francis of Auburntown, aunt and uncles Debbie Cheatham of Eagleville, Marylian Hall of Nashville and Billy Francis of Woodbury; nephews and nieces Jonathon (Amanda) Francis, Jennifer (Reid) Hartley, and Callie Francis all of Auburntown, and Ethan Bryson of Morrison, Sarah Beth (Martine) Sandes of Eagleville; great nieces and nephews Allison Francis, Waylon Francis, Brooklyn Francis, Londyn Francis and Ryder Hartley all of Auburntown  and Camila and Lucas Sandes of Eagleville.

A member of the Baptist Church, he was a truck driver with Cannon County Highway Department.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, November 25, 2024, in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Rick Lee and Bro. Larry Thomas

officiating. Interment will follow in the Sycamore Cemetery. Pallbearers include Ethan Bryson, Brad Hall, David Hall, Kirk Davis, Keith Davis, Jonathan Francis and Eric Sadler.

Barbara Reed Sullins, age 83, of Readyville passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at her residence surrounded by her beloved family, following a brief illness.

She is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, Ellis Sullins of Readyville; her children, Stan (Sandra) Sullins of Woodbury, Shannon (Tim) Bacon of Readyville and Tracy (Steve) Marks of Columbia; grandchildren, Shellie (Matt) Rigsby of Lascassas, Scott Sullins of NYC, Brianna (Jon) Smith of Bowling Green, Garrett Bacon of Murfreesboro and Emily Bacon of Cookeville; 5 great grandchildren, Race, Coy and Wynn Rigsby, Madelyn and Micah Smith and sister, Myra Greeno of UT.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Malcolm and Mary Alieen Youree Reed and her daughter, Lori Ann Sullins.

Mrs. Sullins was a member of the Curlee Church of Christ and was retired from the United States Postal service.  She enjoyed sewing, shopping and she loved everything about politics. Most of all, Barbara adored her children and grandchildren and being involved in their lives. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Curlee Church of Christ with Bro. Herb Alsup officiating.  Interment will follow in Curlee cemetery. 

Pallbearers include Eric and Tony Reed, Garrett Bacon, Matt, Race, and Coy Rigsby, Doug Hollandsworth and Brooks Lance.

Her family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 19, 2024 and Wednesday, November 20, 2024 until 1:30 P.M. at Woodbury Funeral Home. Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave memories and condolences for her family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Buddy Franklin Davenport, 85, of Woodbury passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford.  A native of Cannon Co., he was the son of the late Jack and Johnnie Richardson Davenport.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nancy Young Davenport of Woodbury; his daughter, Kathy Davenport of Woodbury and his grandchildren, Travis Davenport of Smithville, Justin Davenport of Denver and Haleigh Davenport of Centertown.  6 great grandchildren also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son, Michael “Mikey D” Davenport.

A member of the Centerhill Baptist church, Buddy was retired from the Town of Woodbury after 34 years where he was the City Manager.  He was also a 32 Degree Mason. Buddy enjoyed fishing, raising sheep, trading just about anything and absolutely loved to mow.  He was full of sayings too.  Buddy loved the Lord and loved his family.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, November 18, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Greg Mitchell and Bro. Al Bugg officiating.  Interment will follow in the Riverside Gardens cemetery.  Pallbearers include Darrell Young, Jeffery Young, Rodney Young, Edwin Young, David Bragg, Hayden Bryson, Andy Bryson, Gary Dyer, Danny Reuhland, Jimmy Blanton and Marty Vance.

His family will receive friends Monday, November 18, 2024 from 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave memories and condolences for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net